Citrus Chicken Salad
Citrus Chicken Salad is a vibrant, refreshing, and protein-packed dish perfect for lunch or light dinners. Featuring juicy grilled chicken, fresh citrus segments, and a zesty vinaigrette, this salad is both nutritious and full of flavor. Great for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick weekday meal, this citrus chicken salad offers a delicious balance of sweet and savory.
Ingredients
- # Ingredients:
- - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- - 1 tablespoon olive oil
- - 1/2 teaspoon salt
- - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- - 4 cups mixed salad greens
- - 1 large orange peeled and segmented
- - 1/2 grapefruit peeled and segmented
- - 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
- - 1/2 avocado sliced
- - 1/4 cup sliced almonds toasted
For the Citrus Vinaigrette:
- - 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- - 1 teaspoon honey
- - 1/4 cup olive oil
- - Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. Let rest before slicing.
- While the chicken rests, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together orange juice, lemon juice, mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, citrus segments, sliced red onion, avocado, and toasted almonds.
- Slice the rested chicken and place on top of the salad.
- Drizzle with citrus vinaigrette and toss lightly before serving.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- Optional: Add feta or goat cheese for an extra tangy flavor.
- For extra crunch, top with croutons or crispy wontons.
- Store leftovers without dressing to avoid soggy greens. Serving Suggestions & Variations:
- Serve over quinoa or couscous for a hearty twist.
- Make it a wrap by stuffing into whole wheat tortillas.
- Swap grapefruit for tangerines or mango slices for a sweeter variation.
- For an Asian-style variation, use mandarin oranges and sesame dressing with leftover Chinese black pepper chicken. Expert Tips:
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Use a sharp knife or segmented spoon to remove citrus membranes cleanly.
- Toast your almonds just before serving for the best crunch. Conclusion:
This citrus chicken salad is a must-try for anyone who loves fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make meals. Give it a shot, and don’t forget to leave a comment or tag us when you make it!
- Optional: Add feta or goat cheese for an extra tangy flavor.
- For extra crunch, top with croutons or crispy wontons.
- Store leftovers without dressing to avoid soggy greens. Serving Suggestions & Variations:
- Serve over quinoa or couscous for a hearty twist.
- Make it a wrap by stuffing into whole wheat tortillas.
- Swap grapefruit for tangerines or mango slices for a sweeter variation.
- For an Asian-style variation, use mandarin oranges and sesame dressing with leftover Chinese black pepper chicken. Expert Tips:
- Let the chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Use a sharp knife or segmented spoon to remove citrus membranes cleanly.
- Toast your almonds just before serving for the best crunch. Conclusion:
This citrus chicken salad is a must-try for anyone who loves fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make meals. Give it a shot, and don’t forget to leave a comment or tag us when you make it!